Scottsboro City Council Meeting

The Scottsboro City Council and Mayor, Attorney and clerk. From left to right, Mayor Potter, Council Member Gary Spears ( Mr. Spears is absent on every other Monday due to pursuing his doctorate degree.), Council Member Thermon Bell, City Clerk Cathy O'Shields, City Council President Matthew Hodges, City Attorney Steve Kennamer, Council Member Carol McCrary, Council Member Keith Smith.

New Business item 1) Rules were set aside and the Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond issue was approved. Mayor Potter and Mr. Larry Ward of Morgan Keegan, Birmingham, finalize the Recovery Zone, RZED, $6.5 million loan for the City of Scottsboro's Service Road extension project on John T. Reid Parkway. 45% of the bonds interest will be payed by the U.S Government. Mr Ward highlighted Scottsboro's Bond rating was responsible for the 3.42% interest rate Scottsboro RZED Bond issues. More info on RZED bonds: http://www.occ.treas.gov/static/community-affairs/community-developments-investments/spring10/articles/bond/cde10spring04.htm

Item 5 on the council's agenda was the City Council Committee assignments. There will be an Administrative Committee meeting after next Mondays Council meeting, Nov. 15, 2010 in the Conference room area. It has been my experiance the administrative meetings usually involve all council members.

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City Council Outline: 1) RZED Bond issue, see picture above with story. 2) Commercial Development Authority Board appointment to finish the term of Janet Sage ending in March 2011, Patrick Stewart was appointed by Mr. Bell. 3) Annual one time pay raise for city employees approved, full time-$150, part time $75, temporary $50. 4) Solid Waste Authority bid openings for truck awarded to Tractor and Equipment of Decatur, Al. for $153,920. 2 bidders did not meet bid specifications. 5) Council member committee assignment list, see above picture.

Scottsboro City Council

Councilman Keith Smith, left and newly elected School Board member Daryl Eustace.

Mayor Potter presents Certificate of Election to Keith Smith and Daryl Eustace.

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There were two sessions in tonights City Council meeting, a work session and a regular meeting afterwords. I will list if the work session item was approved during the regular council meeting.

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1) County Commissioner Horrace Clemmons appeared before the City Council to request that the City of Scottsboro pay for the cleanup of the rest room at First Monday. He stated he had received several complaints that the rest room was dirty and created a bad image for the county and city. Clemmons stated if the city will not clean up the rest room the commission will close the facility. Council President Matthew Hodges stated the Administrative Committee will take the issue under advisement. Daily Sentinel article: http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=b48a4c03807f9c58

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My Comments: First Monday has been a 100 year plus tradition in Jackson County. The current political administration of the City and County have utilized First Monday as a political football. The city has refused to provide advertising for the event except on their web site which contains inaccurate information. Now the county comes forth after spending near $500,000 dollars in pay increases over and beyond any reasonability and refuses to clean that which is their responsibility to clean. It is the county commissions responsibility to serve the people not themselves.

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The First Monday event brings visitors to our town which produces tax revenue. Scottsboro and Jackson County are known for the traditional First Monday event. First Monday has become a political football for local politicians. Local politicians have turned a positive event which represents Scottsboro and Jackson County into just another place in which politicians ruin tradition and tourism opportunities. The County Commissioners have a responsibility to keep the rest rooms open and clean them. A rest room with running water must be made available in order that people may wash their hands. For County Commissioner Horrace Clemmons to say it is the city's responsibility to clean county property is beyond ridiculous, it is just plain stupid. Hand washing prevents disease, porta-toilets do not have hand washing facilities.

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Hopefully, the Scottsboro City Council will demonstrate better sense than the self serving, irresponsible Jackson County Commission.

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2) Sheila Shepard from the Jackson County Economic Development Authority, EDA, made a presentation concerning an Enterprise Zone designation to provide Tax Free incentives to business and industry locating in Jackson County and Scottsboro. The designation of an Enterprise Zone was approved by the City Council. EDA site describes the various incentives. http://www.jacksoncountyeda.org/incentives.html 3) The City Finance Director, Rick Wheeler, made a presentation concerning changing the City Business License. There will be 5 additional business classifications added to the city business license. 4)Charles King, City Engineer, discussed zoning change request for a parcel of land located on Hwy 35 in Larkinsville. The City Council approved a Public Hearing date of October 11, 2010 for the rezoning issue. 5) Police Chief Dawe made presentation concerning the annual closing of Micah Way for the Scottsboro Track and Field Event on Sep. 18 2010. The portion of Micah Way from the Wal-Mart Shopping Center Northeast entrance to the high school entrance will be closed from 8AM to 6PM on Saturday Sep 18th. The City Council approved the closing at the regular session. 6) Fuel Supply bids were opened, JAT Oil & Supply of Chattanooga, Tn. was the lowest bidder. The council approved the bid. 7) Bid opening for oil & lubricant supplies was awarded to PARMA Energy Corporation of Chattanooga, Tn. as being the lowest bidder. 8) Mr. David Long made presentation concerning Chevy Lane paving. Chevy Lane is located between Long Hollow Rd and Hwy. 35. Mr. Long stated the city had been paving this road and making repairs for many years but has stopped. Apparently there is a question of whether the road is in the city inventory of roads or is a private roadway. The city attorney will be looking into this matter. 9) Certificate of Election was presented to winners of the recent city election. Council Member Keith Smith was present as was newly elected School Board member David Eustace. (Photo's above)

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Reports: 1) Mayor stated That there will be an observance of National Constitution Week, Friday September 17, 2010 is Constitution Day. http://www.constitutionday.com/ 2) Discusion of Flood issue on Maples Street. FEMA Grant money available, cost share, city will provide 25% and FEMA will provide 75%.. This concerns the purchasing of property in the flood area. Previous articles on the issue. The Flood-- http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/08/scottsboro-residents-upset-over-long.html and A Helping Hand--http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/08/city-council-meeting-monday-august-23.html 3) Mayor Potter discussed the Planning Project related to frontage roads along U.S. Hwy 72. Mayor Potter stated their are $6 million dollars in Recovery Zone Funds available in Alabama. These are reduced interest Bond Loans, the Fed will pay for 45% of the loan interest. The Mayor took a bold step to recommend that the $6 million dollars be utilized to complete the planning of service roads along Hwy 72 and for the city to build the service roads with the Recovery Zone Act bonds. My comments: Bravo Mayor, absolutely, this is a bold but necessary move to provide infra-structure improvements. Part of the money should be utilized to fund improvements relative to the flooding on the North Side of the Tracks along Maple Street and other needed projects in the orginal, historical part of town. Pevious articles related to planning along Hwy. 72. June 22, 2010-- http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/06/scottsboro-city-council-work-session.html July 20, 2010-- http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/07/scottsboro-city-council-what-is-cda.html

Scottsboro City Council Meeting and Continuation on April 28, 2010 for Bond Issue

Scottsboro City Council President Matthew Hodges

Council Member Keith Smith.

Council Member Terry Thomas.

Council Member Gary Speers.

Council Member Thermon Bell.

Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter.

Mr. Steve Kennamer, City Attorney.

Ms. Cathy O'Shields, City Clerk .
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Monday evening was a regular meeting of the Scottsboro City Council. There was no old business. The council meeting will be be continued Wednesday afternoon at 4:30PM.

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New Business: 1) Vacancy on the Electric Power Board, applications for this appointment must be turned in to the City Clerk by 4:30PM, May 14, 2010. 2) Vacancy on the Scottsboro Parks and Recreation Board, known as the Goosepond Colony Park Board. applications for this board must be turned in to the City Clerk by 4:30PM, May 14, 2010. 3) One appointment for the Historical Preservation Commission was made, Ms. Ann Chambliss was reappointed. There is one additional vacancy, interested citizens may contact the City Clerk at 574-3100 to receive information on this appointment. 4) CDG Engineering contract for landfill approved for methane capture project. 5) Resolution for sale of old Police Station on John T. Reed Parkway. Discussion ensued concerning whether the city will have an auction or will go with sealed bids for the property. The auction route was decided but depends on whether an auctioneer can be hired according to the city's terms. 6) Commercial Development Authority, CDA, selection: Place 1-Janet Sage, term expires Mar.15, 2011; Place 2- Scott Berry, term expires Mar. 15, 2011; Place 3- Linda Bray, term expires Mar. 15, 2013; Place 4- Bob Cuthbertson, term expires Mar. 15, 2015; Place 5- Tony Kaschak, term expires Mar. 15, 2013 7) Architectural Review Board, Ms. Babs Williams and Ms. Lynette Nicholas will be reappointed. 8) Discussion of Recovery Zone Bonds, $4.6 million available, resolution for approval needed. 9) Vote on whether to make Department Heads classified, permanent employees or remain as non-classified, appointed employees. Vote was 4 to 1, remain as appointed officials. The Police chief and the City Clerk is required by state law to be appointed officials. Mr. Smith disagreed with the majority, he has stated that Department Heads should be classified employees. (I agree with Mr. Smith, however, Department Heads should not be moved into the classified employee status until a system of objective Performance Standards are implemented as suggested by previous investigations into Scottsboro's Personnel Management System failures.)

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Reports: Mayor stated that a $25K check had been received by the city for the use of street repairs from the Scottsboro Water, Sewer and Gas Board.

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UPDATE: April 28, 2010- Continuation of Mondays regular city council meeting. 1) The purpose of the continuation was to approve a resolution related to bonds of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Federal Government will pay 45% of the bonds interest rates. a) The City of Scottsboro has been designated as a Recovery Zone. b) Capital investments within the city will be used for public parks and recreation facilities. c) Cap being $3,315,000 in a series of general obligation warrants. 2) Bond Council was appointed, the firm of Bradley, Arant, Boult, and Cummings LLP. Individual council for the firm for this bond issue will be Mr. Alan Ziegler, Esquire. The bond underwriter is Morgan -Keegan of Birmingham, Al.

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Mr. Hodges, Mr. Smith and Mr. Bell were present, Mr. Speers and Mr. Thomas were working.

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